Today, finally, I should hold in my hands the finished book, the project that has taken three years to complete. You know what I'm talking about: The book that Marcelle Bienvenu and I edited, "Cooking Up a Storm: Recipes Lost and Found from The Times-Picayune of New Orleans."

I hope I don't burst into tears.Many of you have communicated with me repeatedly about this book. I know how much it means, not just to me, but to all of us.

Today, I will chat online with you about the book on NOLA.com at 1 p.m. CDT. Stop by and say hi in cyberspace!!

Then, Saturday is another huge day.

Marcelle and I will sign the books for the first time in two places in New Orleans.

From 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. we will sign at the Crescent City Farmer's Market, 700 Magazine St.

From noon to 2 p.m. we will be at Garden District Book Shop, 2727 Prytania St.

Next Friday, from 4 to 6 p.m., we will sign at Pen and Palette in Fairhope, Alabama. Then on Saturday, the 22nd, we will be at A Tisket, A Tasket, in the French Quarter on Decatur St.